109: Jesus Did Not Revile in Return

What You'll Discover in this Episode:

Jesus Did Not Revile in Return

When People Slander your Reputation

I want to talk to you about being reviled or being met with resistance, rejection, revulsion when you are being a helper of people’s joy; you are a counselor helping a counselee; you are a pastor, or a ministry leader and you are being rejected. How do you deal with that?

This blog post talks a lot about God's mercy. When others revile you, Jesus understands 1 Peter 2:23. When Jesus was reviled, He did not revile in return. We look to Christ in you. The hope of glory is the only way not to revile in return. As the work of the Sprit of God equips us to respond in ways that reflect His love, it is maturity.

Let us look at different ways the Lord Jesus will help us navigate pain and do it with faith and wisdom.

First, we should consider the situation.

When someone disparages you with their words, it can be tempting to respond quickly in self-defense, but we should wait before responding James 1:5. The words of somebody else against us can be inaccurate and harmful. Yet, if you are a biblical counselor, we are involved in caring for souls of others. These “others” are oftentimes struggling and suffering in profound ways.

We need to consider the circumstances of those who seek help and evaluate their words or speech even if they are painful or damaging because their suffering might affect the way they are looking at life. They might have challenges that they are reacting against.

We want to understand where the person is at, the reasons they said things against you and not assume that those responses are independent from the trials that they are facing (Proverbs 18:13).

Second thing you want to consider is the Savior.

The words of others can bring sorrow, they can cut deep and leave a wound. It is like betrayal that washes over your heart and can break into waves of resentment, bitterness, and grief.

Look to Jesus Matthew 11:28-29. He cares about you as much as He cares about your counselee.

Considering Christ is the only way that you can rightly respond when a person shifts the blame upon you for their suffering and they try to discredit your ministry or your reputation.

The author of Hebrew in exhortation said, “Consider him who endured such hostility against himself so that you may not grow weary and faint-hearted.” Hebrews 12:3

Consider the big picture of God’s purposes.

This is your sanctification. People can revile to the point of sin, Ephesians 4:29. The battles that you go through are not arbitrary, but they have a purpose. There are truths that you need to hear and there are things that you need to learn about the way you serve Jesus.

Learn how to respond to the accusations of others in a way that is humble. If a sin occurred (by omission or commission), seek God’s heart, pursue humility, ask for forgiveness, and hear the truth that God wants you to receive. God uses this trial for sanctification to change our lives. James 1-4, 2 Cor. 3:18

Consider your response.

If you have not, sooner or later you will be reviled. When you do, you need to consider the situation and the person, consider the Savior, consider the big purposes of God, and then consider your response.

Discern and be protected. This happens through prayer. Proverbs 4:19, Proverbs 6:12-15, Proverbs 26:4

When you have got the Wonderful Counselor, consider these possibilities and the response that God wants you to make. He will reveal to you that we are called to be peacemakers, Matthew 5:19. Act as the shepherd specially to those who wander from God’s care, Acts 20:28.

Pursue reconciliation to the one who reviled you, Matthew 5:23-24. See the fruit of the peace and restoration in the life of the other and in your relationship, Matthew 18:15.

Reflection:

Is there sin in you or is there sin you have committed that can be acknowledged or addressed? Matthew 7:3-5. Go to your brother or sister in love and humility. Be merciful. Listen to understand, not to refute an argument. Proverbs 18:15. Offer the hope of Jesus Christ from their own pain or suffering.

God is the author of the outcome and He will work all these things together according to the counsel of His will, Romans 12:18-19, Ephesians 1:11.  

How have you found victory in considering the Savior when you are reviled?